Portugal Notes 2006Portugal Notes 2006Brief Notes - April 2006 - PORTUGAL - Neils Travel Web



Notes on this years trip

Algarve - Portugal - April 2006
Here are a just few brief notes on this year’s trip, I'll add to them when/if I remember what we did!
A smaller party this year, therefore just the one villa. A definite bonus by leaving on a Thursday a.m. instead of Saturday as we got a complete weekend for a change. Worked well. As usual the tournament was for Keith's mum's trophy.
Again, quite a lot of photographs taken this year as I borrowed a camera from Chris Fox again, a Canon 10D. Still well over the top for me really, but getting easier to use, despite its weight. The 2 x 1 GB memory cards and double battery grip meant I managed around 400 photos without needing to change anything! I am still using my trusty Casio but more for the 'miscellaneous' shots, but its getting a bit long in the tooth now. Maybe a change next trip.
The weather was a bit overcast the first couple of days but got progressively hotter and sunnier from then on, just what we needed, and as all three rounds of golf had late morning tee-offs this allowed some hangovers to ease up (also sweated out by midday temperatures, mad dogs and ....etc.).
As there was only the one villa this year, the group stayed pretty much together on our trips out.
Alvor was still quite quiet at this time of the year, with a lot of bars fairly empty during the week. Not that it mattered to us as we were lucky to have the Boozer bar. A newly (re)opened bar owned by Jimmy, Nelson and Miquel. As a result of this good fortune the alcoholic intake increased alarmingly. I think the guys would confirm that the golf suffered slightly as the 'tour' progressed (just see the tour results on the above menu)!
Thursday 20th
I picked up Cliff. Keith / Mick picked up George and we met Andy and Gary (slightly late) at Gatwick.
A straight forward run to the airport as it was 06.30. This time we used the off site long term car park (after last years mistake as it ended up being £70 as opposed to £50 off site). Check-in was relatively painless again due to the time of day. Keith managed to secure a scheduled, rather than charter, flight this time, immediately noticed the better seats, slightly extra legroom and generally slicker service (even though it was Monarch). Unlike last year the plane actually made the trip uneventfully, taking off and landing on time. A slightly overcast but bright Algarve greeted us. Collected probably the best bus we've had on these trips so far. A nice new Opel Vitaro, managed all seven of us plus the kit relatively comfortably. Arriving at the villa at 1.00 was spot on for a chance of an early beer and snack at La Latina.
Evening meal at Goodvilles. Boozer bar until 03.30.
Friday 21st
Breakfast at La Latina. Trip to Luz for the lads to see Keith and Mick's place. Blue Wave bay (Burgau) for a beer. Evening meal at Capacho. Boozer bar until 05.00.
Saturday 22nd
A late departure for Palmares for Golf (10.15) , collecting Jimmy and Debbie on route. Mixed play due to previous evening / morning. Chilly and a bit overcast early, slight improvement later on. Cliff, George and Andy to the Venue for the Chelsea match. Capacho for dinner. Gary, Cliff and me to Jimmy's until 01.30. Joined Keith and George at Michaels for a last drink 02.30.
Sunday 23rd
Breakfast at Marcos. Lads to Beach bar. Cliff, me Venue for football.  Me Montes, rest Jimmy's, joined them later. 07.00
Monday 24th
A late arrival at Boavista for Golf meant a pretty prompt tee off. After seeing them off I travelled into Luz for 'the day'. The Bull, Kellys, Soozies. Keith and Mick Evening meal at Al Dente.
Tuesday 25th
Lazy day, Pool. The Lads Venue for football. Me Montes. Joined the lads at Jimmy's.
Wednesday 26th
A 10.30 kick off, collecting Jimmy and Debbie on route for Alamos for Golf. This is the new sister course to Morgado in the Monchique mountains (which has become one of our favourites over the years). A varied and quite picturesque course though still quite 'young'. The team suffering. Debbie Hay fever. Hot. Lusitania for evening meal. Jimmy's until 05.00.
Thursday 27th
Late up all round. Keith & Mick to Luz. Cliff and I visited Praia da Rocha for a bit of shopping, Venue for a beer. All at Blue Reef for evening meal. Jimmy's.
Friday 28th
A pleasant lazy morning for a mid afternoon departure to Faro. 20.30 flight. All on-time arriving back home 01.00 Saturday morning.

Last Update: 16/01/2008